Everything We Know About the Upcoming Windows 9

Microsoft is all set to launch the “Windows Technical Preview” for Windows on September 30th at San Francisco. Windows 8 has been a huge failure despite the fact that the company has been updating it regularly since the past two years when it was officially released. The new upgrade is said to be focused on traditional desktop PC users. With the new update, the company aims to fix and improve the Windows 8 mistakes with the return of the Start menu, flexible app windowing, virtual desktops, Microsoft’s Cortana digital assistant, and a whole lot more.

Let us look back at rumors and leaks to show what is expected from the Windows 9:

The Name

Most of the leaks and rumours have come with the codename “Project Threshold,” it is certain that this is the next version of Windows. The only mystery here is, what will the new update be called once it is made official for public use. For now, Windows 9 seems like an obvious option.

Return of the Start Menu

Well, it has been pointed out in numerous leaks and rumors that with the arrival of the new update, the company will include the traditional Start menu which has been missing in the Windows 8. The Metro-style Start Screen isn’t exactly gone. Instead, it will just be condensed down into the Start Menu with live tiles. However, the Start Menu will be optionally expandable into a full-screen view for those who are comfortable with a full-screen version now.

Change in Apps

As a noticeable change, rumors illustrate that the charm bar will be removed, and the metro-style apps will run on Windows 9 instead of a full screen-only app mode. Windows Phone’s voice assistant ‘Cortana’ is expected to be among these newly Window-able apps. Windows 9 is also expected to bring virtual desktops into the desktop ecosystem.

Windows Phone

Windows 9 version for the smartphones will apparently strip out the Windows RT desktop and include the Notification Center in it, same as the Windows Phone 8.1. It will turn Windows RT (Window 8 version for smartphones) into a Metro-only tablet-first operating system that straddles the line between desktops and phones by offering a more traditional tablet experience. Also, it is said that the new mobile version of Windows 9 would be limited to running only Marketplace apps much like Windows Phone and Windows RT we have today.

How Much Will it Cost?

Various rumors have pointed out the new update may come at a price. However, it also said that it will be cheap, not more than $20. Meanwhile, Microsoft is said to offer unknown incentive to get people off old Windows XP, which has been Microsoft’s most successful windows update in recent years. It is also Windows 7 users may have to pay a bit more than the others.

When Will it Arrive?

Microsoft has already sent out invites for an event on September 30th. They promise to reveal “what’s next for Windows and enterprise.” It is certain that it will be the Windows 9, and most likely the release of a early developer version known as the “Technical Preview”, in Microsoft’s terms. When the real version hits the market is still unknown. However, all the rumors have pointed out to a spring 2015 arrival.